15.03.2010, 07:04
Next Phase of EchoStar-14 Launch Campaign Begins
OREANDA-NEWS. March 15, 2010. All stand alone testing of the EchoStar-14 and the Breeze M upper stage has been successfully completed, reported the press-centre of Khrunichev.
The next phase of the pre-launch preparations - the Proton’s Ascent Unit assembly operations - will be jointly carried out by Khrunichev, the spacecraft supplier Space Systems Loral, RUAG Space and International Launch Services.
The work on the AU (being carried out in clean room #101 of the same integration and test facility “MIK” 92A50) started on March 7 with the mating the spacecraft to the Khrunchev-made payload adapter (PLA). The adapter is used for mechanically mating the spacecraft to Breeze M upper stage. The PLA also houses the RUAG Space-built separation system. The separation system was integrated with the spacecraft by the RUAG engineers.
Then the spacecraft/PLA assembly was mated to the Breese M upper stage. The EchoStar 14/PLA/the Breeze M stack is now being encapsulated in its launch vehicle fairing. The AU operations are expected to be completed tomorrow.
According to the pre-launch schedule, on March 11 the AU will be transported to the nearby clean room (#111), where it will be integrated to the Proton launcher.
The EchoStar 14 is scheduled for launch from Baikonur aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle on March 20, at 21:27 Moscow time. This will be the 4th Proton launch in 2010 year. EchoStar 14 launch will be the 2nd Proton commercial mission this year, for ILS.
The next phase of the pre-launch preparations - the Proton’s Ascent Unit assembly operations - will be jointly carried out by Khrunichev, the spacecraft supplier Space Systems Loral, RUAG Space and International Launch Services.
The work on the AU (being carried out in clean room #101 of the same integration and test facility “MIK” 92A50) started on March 7 with the mating the spacecraft to the Khrunchev-made payload adapter (PLA). The adapter is used for mechanically mating the spacecraft to Breeze M upper stage. The PLA also houses the RUAG Space-built separation system. The separation system was integrated with the spacecraft by the RUAG engineers.
Then the spacecraft/PLA assembly was mated to the Breese M upper stage. The EchoStar 14/PLA/the Breeze M stack is now being encapsulated in its launch vehicle fairing. The AU operations are expected to be completed tomorrow.
According to the pre-launch schedule, on March 11 the AU will be transported to the nearby clean room (#111), where it will be integrated to the Proton launcher.
The EchoStar 14 is scheduled for launch from Baikonur aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle on March 20, at 21:27 Moscow time. This will be the 4th Proton launch in 2010 year. EchoStar 14 launch will be the 2nd Proton commercial mission this year, for ILS.
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